What are the political implications of Islamic women wearing burqa?

Answer 1

While Hijab may have political implications, as evident in the banning of Hijab in certain countries, Muslim women who choose to practice Hijab are not doing it to challenge the political system. Islam encourages men and women to observe modesty in private and public life. Hijab is an individual's act of faith and religious expression.

Now this makes me feel better with my Hijab:

• I am liberated from slavery to 'physical perfection' - Society makes women desire to become 'perfect objects'. The multitudes of alluring fashion magazines and cosmetic surgeries show women's enslavement to beauty. The entertainment industry pressures to believe that for clothes, less is better. When we wear Hijab, we vow to liberate ourselves from such desires and serve only God. But still "I am an athletic, modern, and I do wear my favorite and fashionable clothing in private.

• I don't let others judge me by my hair and curves! - In professional environments, women are often judged by their looks or bodies-characteristics they neither chose nor created. Hijab forces society to judge women for their value as human beings, with intellect, principles, and feelings. A woman in Hijab sends a message, "Deal with my brain, not my body!" Though personally, I had to spend years to find an appropriate work environment even in an Arab & Muslim country, where some businessmen still under the notion of Hijab being an element that hinder the communication between non-Muslims and Muslims.

• I feel empowered and confident - In contrast to today's culture, where as women attempt to reach an unattainable ideal of beauty, Hijab frees a woman from the pressure to 'fit in'. She does not have to worry about wearing the right kind of jeans or the right shade of eye shadow. She can feel secure about her appearance because she cares to please only Allah "GOD".

I feel the bond of unity - Hijab identifies us as Muslims and

encourages other Muslim & non-Muslims to greet us with the salutation of peace, "Assalamu Alaikum". Hijab draws others to us and immerses us in good company.

Whether the Hijab constrains or liberates women is an ongoing debate.

However, statistics reveal that in Western society, women and men are perceived very differently.

One study, done at the University of California, found that media photographs emphasize the faces of men but the bodies of women. In the average picture of a woman, less than half the photo (45%) was devoted to the woman's face. In the pictures of men, nearly two-thirds (65%) of the photograph featured the man's face.

The same article reports the results of an experiment conducted with a group of 40 male and 40 female college students. These students were told that a study of freehand drawing styles was under way and were assigned to draw either a man or a woman, capturing "the character of a real person." It was observed that the men drawn had very distinct features, with close attention paid to facial details. However, the images drawn of the women were mostly of the body, with the faces vague or even featureless.

The basic requirements of the Muslim women's dress apply to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk, however both are allowed for women.

For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in proper, Islamic manner.

Finally, I would like to add that Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being.

amat_allah